Ableton announces Ableton Live 7, new instruments and Ableton Suite

Ableton has announced some new products, scheduled to be released before the end of 2007: Ableton 7, some new add-on instruments, and Ableton Suite.

Ableton Live 7

Ableton Live 7 renews the core of Live, with enhancements to the audio engine including 64-bit mix summing, new and improved devices with side-chaining capability, better MIDI timing and hardware integration.

New Compressor – The new compressor device integrates the compression models of Compressor I and II, and offers a new model based on a feedback design commonly found in the most praised vintage compressors

Sidechaining – Fully integrated side-chaining capability is available for the new Compressor as well as Gate and Auto Filter

EQ Eight—New and Improved – EQ Eight sports an improved user interface and a new 64-bit mode for increased accuracy and fidelity

Introducing Spectrum – The new Spectrum device is an analyzer that provides real-time visual feedback for any audio signals within Live (and it looks really cool!)

Improved MIDI Timing – The MIDI engine has been reworked and we were able to significantly reduce timing error (jitter) of recorded MIDI

Easy Hardware Integration – Hardware integration has been streamlined with the addition of two new devices—External Instrument and External Audio Effect—allowing hardware synthesizers and effects to be inserted into device chains just like software plug-ins

Ableton Live 7 is currently in beta stage. If you are a registered Live 6 user you can check to see if there are any beta serial numbers available to you here.

The download version of Ableton 7 will cost EUR 419/USD 499, and a boxed version (includes the Essential Instrument Collection 2) will be EUR 499/USD 599.

Note: All users who unlock their Live 6 or Live 6 Upgrade between October 1, 2007 and January 31, 2008 will get a free download upgrade to Ableton Live 7, plus attractive instrument bundle offers at release date.

New Ableton Instruments

The new add-on instruments are the result of Ableton’s collaboration with leading industry partners (AAS, SONiVOX and Chocolate Audio).

Orchestral Strings, a comprehensive selection of naturally rich and dynamic stringed instruments. Features solo and ensemble violin, viola, cello and double bass, all recorded in their natural positions within the orchestra, complete with a number of articulations (price: EUR 209/USD 249)

Orchestral Brass, a thorough set of vivid and colorful brass instruments. Features solo and ensemble French horn, trombone, trumpet and tuba, with a unique set of articulations in multiple section sizes (price: EUR 209/USD 249)

Orchestral Woodwinds, a variety of clear and vibrant wind instruments. Features solo and ensemble flute, clarinet, bassoon, oboe and English horn with a broad selection of articulations (price: EUR 209/USD 249)